Bryce, Zion, and more in between

Things To Do Between
Bryce Canyon & Zion

You're at the crossroads of two national parks with dozens of unique attractions within an hour's drive — plus world-class stargazing and cowboy tubs right on property.

Start Here

Day Trips from Long Valley Junction

Starlit Ridge sits at the crossroads of US-89 and UT-14, so every direction is a different day. Pick one per day and you can be back at the cabin for the fire and the stars.

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Zion East Side Day
Full day · Zion East Entrance 42.6 mi
Route: Belly of the Dragon (25.1 mi) → Zion East Entrance → Canyon Overlook Trail → Zion–Mt. Carmel Tunnel → main canyon
Leave early. Stop at Belly of the Dragon on the way down, hike Canyon Overlook (1 mi) before the crowds, then drop through the tunnel into the main canyon for the shuttle trails. Back at the cabin by dark.
Zion hikes → Zion with a dog →
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Bryce Canyon Day
Full day · Bryce 39.7 mi
Route: Red Canyon (25.6 mi) → Bryce Canyon → Queens Garden / Navajo Loop → sunset at a rim viewpoint
Warm up in Red Canyon on the way north: same pink hoodoos, no entrance fee. Hike below the rim at Bryce mid-day, then stay for sunset or sunrise light on the amphitheater.
Bryce hikes → Biking Red Canyon →
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High Country Loop (UT-14)
Half to full day · Best June–October
Route: Strawberry Point (17.7 mi) → Cascade Falls (17.8 mi) → Navajo Lake (19.7 mi) → Cedar Breaks (34.5 mi) → Brian Head (36.5 mi)
The cool-weather escape when Zion is baking. Big overlooks, a waterfall out of the cliff, a lake for lunch, and a 10,000-ft amphitheater at Cedar Breaks. Mix and match; every stop is short.
Cedar Breaks guide → Lakes & fishing →
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Kanab & the Dunes
Full day · Kanab ~45 mi
Route: US-89 south → Kanab (lunch, gear, groceries) → Coral Pink Sand Dunes → Belly of the Dragon on the way home
Red-rock town, real grocery stores, and pink sand dunes you can hike, sled or ride. A good pick when the high country is snowy or you want a warmer, lower-elevation day.
OHV & dunes → Where to eat →
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Stay-Close Day
Easy day · 0–15 mi
Route: East Ridge (on property) → Duck Creek Village (12.5 mi) → Mammoth Cave lava tubes → cowboy tub & stars
The reset day between two big park days. Hike East Ridge from the cabin, grab pie in Duck Creek, explore the lava tubes or ride the forest roads, then soak and stargaze.
Stargazing → OHV routes →
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Scenic Byway 12 & Escalante
Big day · Calf Creek ~100 mi / ~2 hrs · leave early
Route: Red Canyon → Bryce junction → Kodachrome or Willis Creek → Escalante → Lower Calf Creek Falls → the Hogback, then back
One of the best drives in the country, out and back from the cabin. Pick three stops, pack lunch, fill up in Hatch or Panguitch, and turn around at Calf Creek or Boulder. Heading toward Capitol Reef after your stay? Drive it on the way out instead.
UT-12 day trip guide → Trip planner →
Don't Miss

Must-Do Experiences

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Explore the In-Between
The gems between the parks — slot canyons, overlooks, and local stops most visitors never find.
Where to Eat → Where to Hike →
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Bryce Canyon at Sunrise
39.7 mi · Park entry fee
Dawn light on the hoodoos is one of the most iconic sights in the American West. Arrive early for the best colors at Sunrise Point or Inspiration Point.
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Zion Narrows
42.6 mi · Park entry fee
Wade through the Virgin River between 2,000-foot sandstone walls. One of the most stunning slot canyon hikes in the world.Moderate
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Dark Sky Stargazing
On property · Free
Alton sits in one of the darkest sky zones in the continental US. The Milky Way is visible most clear nights — no telescope needed, just step outside.
Stargazing →
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Wood-fired Cowboy Hot Tub
On property · Included · Seasonal
Fire up your private wood-fired soaking tub as the sun sets. Soak under a sky full of stars after a long day in the canyons. Utah's most unique outdoor experience.
See the signature experience →
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On-Property Stargazing TrailFamily Friendly
On property · Free · Woodland Collection (Units 1–3)
A marked stargazing trail on the property, lit with solar lights for safe nighttime exploration. Step out after dark and follow the lights to open sky views. Perfect for families and kids.
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Explore the Property — 33 AcresFamily Friendly
On property · Free · All guests
Wander 33 acres of high-altitude terrain. A large ravine behind the cabins leads up to the highest point on the east side of the property — the best views on site. Please be mindful of other guests while exploring.
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Belly of the DragonFamily Friendly
25.1 mi · Free
A natural sandstone tunnel you walk through on the old highway. Short, dramatic, and completely free — a perfect stop on the way to or from Zion.Easy
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Hiking

Trails within an hour of the property

Angels Landing — Zion NPStrenuous42.6 mi · Park fee · Permit required
Zion NarrowsModerate42.6 mi · Park fee · Wading required
Queens Garden — Bryce CanyonEasy39.7 mi · Park fee · Among the hoodoos
Cascade Falls TrailEasy17.8 mi · Free · Waterfall at the canyon rim
East RidgeEasyOn PropertyOn property · Best panoramic views on siteTrails Guide →
Red Canyon TrailsEasy–Mod25.6 mi · Free · Pink hoodoos without the Bryce crowds
Belly of the DragonEasyFamily Friendly25.1 mi · Free · Natural sandstone tunnel
Cedar Breaks Rim TrailEasy34.5 mi · Monument fee · Alpine meadows & red rockDay Trip Guide →
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Family-Friendly

Great for all ages

🕳️ Mammoth Cave Lava Tubes15.4 mi · Free · Walk through ancient lava tubes
🏖️ Coral Pink Sand Dunes39.5 mi · State park fee · Kids love the dunes
🎣 Trout Fishing — Navajo Lake19.7 mi · License required · Stocked rainbow troutLakes & Fishing →
🚣 Kayaking — Navajo Lake19.7 mi · Bring your own or rent in Cedar City
🌋 Belly of the Dragon25.1 mi · Free · Natural sandstone tunnel — short, dramatic, all ages
⭐ Stargazing TrailOn PropertyWoodland Collection · Units 1–3 · Solar-lit trail for safe nighttime exploringStargazing →
🌲 Explore 33 AcresOn PropertyRavine · Highest east point · Best views on property · Please be mindful of other guests
🐦 Bird WatchingOn Property300+ species across Bryce & Zion · Raptors, hummingbirds, wild turkey & more spotted on and around the propertyWildlife Guide →eBird →
🎮 Cabin Game RoomOn property · Units 1, 2 & 3 · Foosball, chess, board games, movie night & darts
🌲 Duck Creek Village12.5 mi · Charming mountain hamlet · Shops, trails & fishing pond
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Adventure & OHV

Dirt roads, trails, and wide open terrain

OHV / UTV Trails — Long ValleyHundreds of miles of legal routes with multiple entry points near the propertyOHV Guide →
Dixie National Forest RoadsOn doorstep · Hundreds of miles of legal dirt roads & backcountry routes through ponderosa pines
Mountain Biking — Duck Creek Area12.5 mi · Singletrack & forest roadsBiking →
Brian Head Resort — Lift Biking36.5 mi · Lift-served downhill summer biking · Bring your toys — we have plenty of parking for trailers and rigs. The perfect basecamp to stage a Brian Head trip.
Duck Creek OHV Routes12.5 mi · Direct access to some of the best forest OHV trails in southern UtahOHV Guide →
🍖 Coral Pink Sand Dunes39.5 mi · State park fee · OHV-legal dunes — one of the only places in Utah to ride on the dunes
Peek-a-Boo Canyon Area~55 mi · Free · Remote slot canyons & 4WD dirt roads off Cottonwood Canyon Rd
Kodachrome Basin State Park55.3 mi · State park fee · Bizarre sandstone spires
Grand Staircase-Escalante60+ mi · Free · Slot canyons, arches & backcountry
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Winter Activities

Snow season from November through March

Brian Head Ski Resort36.5 mi · Lift tickets · Utah's southernmost ski resort
Snowmobiling — Duck Creek12.5 mi · Rentals available · Groomed trails
Cross-Country Skiing — Cedar Breaks34.5 mi · Free · Backcountry routes
⚡ Year-Round Electric Hot TubOn property · Unit 2 (Woodland Hills) · All seasonsWoodland Hills →
❄️ Snowshoeing — On PropertyAsk hosts about snowshoeing routes on and near the property
Bryce Canyon in Snow39.7 mi · Park fee · Hoodoos in snow = bucket list
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Dining & Services

Stock up before you arrive — it's remote out here

Groceries & SuppliesTerry's Food & Drug 19 mi S · Panguitch 28 mi N · Cedar City 45 mi W · Stock up before arrivalWhere to Buy →
Best Nearby Dining — Duck Creek Village12.5 mi · Casual dining & local spots in the pinesWhere to Eat →
Best Dining — Orderville32 mi · Great local restaurants on US-89Where to Eat →
Gas StationsGlendale & Hatch on US-89 — both convenient on the corridor
HospitalGarfield Memorial, Panguitch · 28 mi
Cedar City45 mi · Full services, Walmart, restaurants, airport
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The Perfect Basecamp Location

Starlit Ridge sits at the intersection of US-89 and UT-14 in Long Valley Junction — about 40 miles from both park entrances. You can hit both parks in the same day, or spend the whole trip exploring the lesser-known gems like Strawberry Point, Belly of the Dragon, and Mammoth Cave that most tourists never find.

📍 Map →
Ready to Go?

Book Your Basecamp

Everything on this list is within easy reach of Starlit Ridge. Book direct for the best rate.

Check Availability → View All Cabins
Keep Exploring

More from Your Basecamp

🥾 Hiking Trails
Every Trail Rated — Zion & Bryce Canyon
See the trails › 🚵 Biking
Mountain Biking Near Bryce & Zion
See the rides › 🌌 Stargazing
Dark Sky Stargazing at Starlit Ridge
What to look for › 🏍️ OHV & Dirt Roads
Duck Creek & Dixie National Forest
Explore the terrain › 🌲 Woodland View
Well-positioned cabin for day trips
View cabin › 🏡 All Cabins
View All 7 at Starlit Ridge
See availability ›
🎣 Lakes & Fishing Navajo Lake, Duck Creek & More 🗓️ 3 Perfect Days Best Itinerary for Bryce & Zion 🗓️ 2–7 Day Planner Flexible Itinerary for Any Trip Length 🦌 Wildlife Wildlife & Nature on the Plateau 🗺️ Area Maps Distances, Drive Times & Park Maps 🍽️ Where to Eat Restaurants Near Bryce Canyon & Zion